EVIDENCE

As part of IDRC’s Think Thank Initiative, GlobeScan has worked with IDRC since 2010 to identify and engage senior level stakeholders from government, media, civil society, and academia across Africa, Latin America, and South Asia. The research was begun in 2010 and tracked again in 2013. Based on interviews with nearly 1,000 stakeholders, it provides a baseline reading of stakeholder perspectives on the role of think tanks in society and how these institutions can more effectively foster policies that lead to more equitable and prosperous societies.

IDEAS

The insights from the stakeholder interviews directly inform IDRC’s strategy for its Think Tank Initiative. Key questions include: what is the optimal role of think tanks in emerging markets, how does this differ across regions, and how can think tanks be strengthened to foster inclusive development? Insights and recommendations were delivered through reports, briefings and workshops.

APPLIED

The findings have been used by IDRC to engage with and support a selection of think tanks. The insights from the research have been used to help inform how to enhance the effectiveness of think tanks and the public policy environment in Africa, Latin America, and South Asia. The 2010 and 2013 Policy Community Surveys can be reviewed here.

WORKING WITH idrc...

“I so very much enjoyed working with IDRC on this important project. IDRC plays a unique and catalytic role in the development field, and we are thrilled to be supporting their work in the Think Tank Initiative.”

International Development Research Centre’s (IDRC) Think Tank Initiative supports and advises think tanks in developing countries in order to strengthen their research and communication activities. In partnership with the Think Tank Initiative, GlobeScan engaged influential opinion leaders in developing countries to gather views on research needs, perceptions of research quality, and impressions of think tank performance to give insight on how to best contribute to policy-making communities.